Eshna

Last updated November 2, 2016

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Be it a college pass out or a professional who is looking out for a mid-life career change, deciding on the potential field of work can be difficult. Before you begin exploring a potential career, you should be clear about the following:

Your interests and capabilities

The industry sector

Ways to find the occupation that matches your interest.

These are no easy tasks. The decisions you make can have life-long impacts on your career. The choice of your career might determine your income, status in your community, opportunities for success and more. Your career creates a sense of self-worth in you and also shapes your identity.

Create and manage your personal brand. Translate your interests into the career of your choice. Carrying out a small research might surprise you with the vast career options that relate to most of your interests.

Tips to Find the Right Career

Classifying Occupations of Your Choice – Self-discovery is crucial before you discover the right job. Take up online tests to determine your interest. Next, gather information on the jobs that you have already narrowed down on. This helps you in figuring out various practical priorities and the risk involved in it. Approaching people who are already working in that field is always best as they can give you a real sense of the actual work type. This approach also helps you in building a strong network. Informational interviewing is an important skill that boosts your career. Considering a job coach or career counseling is better while contemplating a drastic career shift. This is because an impartial advice always opens up untapped opportunities.

Strength and Skill Analysis – Once you narrow down your career path, figure out the skills that are required for that job vis-a-vis the skills that you possess. Remember, you are not starting from scratch. You already are equipped with certain skill sets. These are known as transferable skills. Such skills can be applied to most of the fields. For example:

Leadership and management experience

Communication skills

Program planning and research

Public speaking skills

Mediation and conflict resolution

Effective time managing

Computer skills

Foreign language knowledge

In order to develop your transferable skills you should not limit yourself only to work experiences in the organization. Consider different types of activities such as volunteering, hobbies as well as life experiences when it comes to skill development. Brainstorming with trusted acquaintances can help you better identify your transferable skills.

Developing Your Skills – Do not despair if the career of your choice requires skill sets that you completely lack. Give it a sincere try. In the process of learning and acquiring these skills, you might realize whether you actually enjoy the career of your choice or not.

In order to gain career skills, make effective utilization of your current position. On-the-job trainings provide a platform to develop new skills.

Begin identifying resources in your community. Find out more about all the programs in the community. Community libraries or colleges frequently offer low-cost opportunities for strengthening skills such as basic accounting, computers or how to start a business.

Some of the career skills can only be acquired by volunteering or by doing an internship. This comes with the added benefit of keeping you in loop with people who are already working in your chosen field.

Consider Becoming an Entrepreneur – If you are getting worn down by a difficult boss or something graver, then you can consider working for yourself. It is possible to find a perfect niche for yourself, even in a slow economy. However, it is important to understand the certainties of business ownership before you jump into it.

Ensure that you are passionate and committed to your business idea. Although you spend several long hours to get started, it might take a while for your business to start paying you off.

Be prepared for limited or no earnings in the beginning. Particularly, in the initial months you might just be building your base and might also have to bear the start-up costs. Having a plan to cope up during this period is essential.

Conclusion

It is necessary to pace yourself. Never make the mistake of taking on too much at one go. Career change can never happen overnight. Persistence, motivation and commitment can get you where you want to be. Break down larger goals into smaller ones. Try and accomplish one small step a day. Neverrush because of discontentment in your current job. Not doing proper research might land you in a position that is worse than before. Take time, network, volunteer or even try to work part-time in the field of your choice before committing completely. This makes the transition easier and you will also have time to ensure that you are heading on the right track.

About the Author

Eshna is a writer at Simplilearn. She has done Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication and is a Gold Medalist in the same. A voracious reader, she has penned several articles in leading national newspapers like TOI, HT and The Telegraph. She loves traveling and photography.